Seed and grain separator and cleaner



SWL 2, E941 v. H. BALLMANN v 2,254,345

SEED AND GRAIN SEPRATOR AND CLEANER Filed Aug. 16,- 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l '1 WOR. Y BY ATTORNEY Sept i2 w41' v. H. BA| LMANN 225.554.345

SEED AND GRAIN SEPARATOR AND CLENER Filed Aug. 16,v 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 2, 1941.

v. H. BALLMANN l SEED AND GRAIN SEPARATOR AND CLEANER `Filed Aug. 16, 1939 `3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ENTOR.

Patented Sept. N2, 1941 SEED AND GRAIN SEPARATOR AND CLEANER Vincent H. Baumann, St. Louis, Mo. Application August 16, 1939, Serial No. 290,349

1 Claim. v(Cl. 209-318) This invention relates to seed and grain separators and cleaners for use of farmers and others having need of such machina through which chopped hay, clover, alfalfa, corn, beans and the like, are passed for theA purpose of separating the seed or grainfrom the roughage, or

for cleaning the seed and grain from dust and dirt.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine for the stated purposes in a relativelyr simple, compact and kefficient form, ensuring the complete separation of all the seed and grain from the roughage, and the thorough cleaning of the seed and grain of dust and dirt.

Anotherl object isto provide a machine of the kind referred to, comprising a supporting frame, shaker beds in the frame, super-posed screen and conveyor panels in the shaker beds and adapted to receive the chopped roughage or ensilage and shake and sift'the seed or grain from 20 the roughage, delivering the separated seed or grain, and the roughage from the machine at different points, a fan mounted in the frame for blowing out chaff, a hopper for removably mounting at the top Vof t-he machine in lieu of the conveyor panel, for receiving grain'or vseed to be passed through for cleaning, means for feeding the cut material into the machine, means for operating the machine, and adjustable means for regulating the pitch ordegree of oscillation of the screen and conveyor panels. v

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such additional objects and advantages as may appear from the specification; a preferred embodiment of the invention and its elements,

is shown and illustrated in the accompanyingl drawings, wherein: 1

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the machine as set up for use as a seed or grain separator, including a removable crawler type of feeder for receiving the chopped rroughage or combined ensilage and seed, ,and delivering same onto screens and conveyors.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine set 5 bed side. A seed and grain hopper' is mounted 50 on-top and to the front of the machine.

Figure 3 is a top plan View 'of `the assembly of Figure 1. f

Figure 4 is a perspective .detail, on an enlarged the adjustable cam for regulating the pitch or throw of the shaker.

Figure 51s a section on lines 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the grain and seed hopper.

Figure 7 is a section on the line I-1 ofl Figure 6. 4

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary View, detailing the method of attaching the conveyor to the frame of the machine.

Figure 9 is a rear end View of the assembly of Figure 2.

In constructing the machine I provide a suitable supporting frame represented generally at 5, and including suitably spaced legs 6, upper and lower side bars "I, and end bars 8, all rigidly anchored together in a conventional manner by screws or bolts, indicated at 9 to form an elongate, rectangular frame of suitable size for'the purpose. f

A fan shaft I2 is tranversely mounted in the lower part of the vfrontal end of the frame, the ends thereof beingY journalled in bushings I3 an- -chored in the frame, and there being a beltpulley I4 keyed to an extended end of the shaft, outwardly of the frame. Arms I5 are anchored at one end along this shaft and extended radially in tranverse alignment. Fan blades I5 are secured -across the outer ends of the arms I5 and equally spaced from the shaft I2', thus completing a rotary Ypaddle fan, the same in operation turning inthe direction shown by the arrow.

A cylindrical fan housing I8 encloses this fan, the housing being secured at its ends to the frame. The fan housing is parted along its lower side, rearwardly of the shaft I2 to provide a mouth I9 through which air may be blown. Air inlet ports 20 are provided in the housing lfor supplying the fan.

An upper, primary, elongate shaker bed 22 is oscillatably or reciprocably hung within the upperpside bars 'I by means of short hangerlinks 23 Vpivoted at 24 and 25 to the ends of the side -bars and bed respectively. The bed is hung so as to incline downward slightly towards the rear end., This bed comprises wide side boards 26 connected by cross bars v2'I. Cleats 39 are mounted along the inner faces of the boards 26, towards the upper margins thereof and extending from endto end.

Primary screen panels of varying mesh, one of which is represented at 3|, and comprising screen wire of suitable mesh mounted in a frame scale, of the main shaker mechanism,` including 32,may be removably positioned upon the cleats 38 at the rear of the bed 22. The screen panels are of a length to extend approximately twofths the length of the bed, although these proportions may be varied. In parallel spaced relation below the cleats 30, at the rear of the bed 22, other and shorter cleats 33 are similarly secured to the inner faces of the boards 26, for removably engaging secondary screen panels, similar to the primary screens and also of Varying mesh, one of the same being represented at 34 mounted in a frame 35 of the same size as the primary frame 32.

The secondary screen panel is inserted for more complete cleaning of the seed, and might be omitted without seriously impairing theY effi-f" ciency of the machine, and within the scope of the invention. i

A flat partition plate or strip 31 is mounted tranversely of the frame immediately at the forward or inner ends of the screen panels 3I and 34, the ends of the partition being secured to the side boards and the partition extending from the upper cleats slightly below the lower cleats 33.

Cleats 39 are secured along the inner faces of the lower margins of the side boards 26, from the front ends thereof substantially to the rear ends, and are arranged at a considerable dip or downward inclination from front to rear. An imperforate primary apron 40 Vof sheet metal or other material, marginally reinforced by a frame 4I, is removably laid upon those cleats 39, the apron and frame being dimensioned to extend from side to side and from the front endrof the bed 22 to a point spaced substantially inward from" the rear end thereof. A dirt dust trough 42 is formed transversely of this apron at a point immediately forward of the lower depending margin of the partition 31, this trough being slightly inclined from end to end so as to discharge dirt',d or dust laterally through its lower and extended end or spout 42a.

Short cleats 43 are secured to the inner faces of the lower margins of the side boards 26 at the rear ends thereof, and are inclined downwardg1.

ly and inwardly in horizontal alignment with the rear ends of the cleats 39. A supplementary, narrow, imperforate apron 44 in a frame 45 is removably laid upon these cleats, the element being dimensioned to ll the space between the sideV boards 26 and to extend inwardly, yet falling short of meeting the rear end of the main apron 48, so as to leave an intervening seed port vor passage 46.

This narrow inwardly inclined apron 44 servesL to retain the seed and grain in the machine, and

prevents it from working out at the rear end of the machine and being lost.

A lower and shorter, secondary shaker bed 50, is oscillatably or reciprocably hung medially within the frame 5, beneath the `bed 22 by means of short hanger-links 5I pivoted at 52 and 53 to supports 54 anchored to the frame 5. This bed is hung so as to incline downwardly and inwardly or forwardly, reversely to the inclination of` the upper bed 22. This bed also comprises wide side boards 56 connected by cross bars 51. The lower and forward end of the bed is disposed rearwardly or inwardly of the upper portion of the fan housing I8, with the side boards 56 par'- tially overlapping the endsofthe fan housing. An inclined box-like apron 58 is mounted between the rear ends of theiboards 56 immediately below the grain or seed port 46 of the upper' bed 22. Cleats 59 are mounted medially along the inner faces of the boards 56, on which is removably positioned a tertiary screen panel 6'0 in a frame 6I, and representing one of a series of screens of varying mesh that may be so located. The screen 6D is of course of a width to fit freely within the side boards 56, and is of a length to extend forwardly and fit down back of a transverse stop strip 62 anchored at its ends in the boards 56 and formed with a depending -or other material, marginally reinforced by a frame 61 is removably laid upon these cleats, the apron and frame being dimensioned to nicely extend from side board to side board and from the box-apron 58 forwardly immediately beneath the trough 63 where it curves downward under this trough as indicated at 66a towards the mouth I9 of the fan housing I8.

A at deflector strip or apron 18 is transversely mounted between the boards 56, in spaced relation below the down-turned delivery end 66a of the apron 66, this strip being inclined down wardly and forwardly in a spaced relation to the inner margin of the fan housing I8, thus providing a seed or grain delivery slot 1I. The ends of the strip 1U are secured laterally to the side boards 56. Similarly an inclined base apron 12 is transversely mounted between the lower forward ends of the boards 56, its ends being anchored to these boards. 'I'he apron 12 is dis posed in spaced relation below the deector apron 10, and its forward end is curved horizontally beneath the lower margin of the hous- .ingl and suitably spaced therefrom. A nal seed and grain trough 13 is formed transversely in the lowermost, forward and horizontal portion of the apron 12 and is inclined laterally so as to deliver the cleaned seed and grain through its spout 13a. The rear margin of the apron 12 is spaced from the deflector apron 10. `Thus air-flow openings or slots 14 and 15 are provided, through which air may flow along the upper or inner side of the base apron 12, over the trough 13 in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Y A power receiving or driven shaft is jour nalled through pillow blocks 8|, transversely at the forward end of the frame 5, and a triplepulley unit 82 is rigidly keyed upon an extended end of the shaft.

A84 is rigidly keyed at an end of this shaft in operative alignment with the inner pulley 82a of 'the pulley unit 82.

An apron roller 86 is rigidly keyed upon the shaft 83, within the frame and with its ends adjacent the ends of the shaft but leaving bearing spaces 81 on the shaft between the ends of the roller. and therframe.

. f A short panel 89 of corrugated Vmetal is permanently mounted uponthe forward ends of the upper cleats 30 of the bed 22,. immediately ai; the roller 86 but noft interfering therewith. A conveyor panelj 90 of like corrugated metal is dimensioned to removably position upon the same 75 cleats 3U between the panel 89 and the primary screen panel 3|. Likewise adust screen panel ylike the conveyor panel 99 for removably positioning atthe forward end ofthe bed'22 upon the cleats 3S, in lieu of the panel 90.

A crawler type `of feeder Ais provided, comprising a pair of side boards .'93 having a roller shaft 9d jour-nailed at its ends through the forward ends of the boards Vand havingan apron roller 95 eomplemental `to the roller 86 medially keyed thereon. A pair of legs y96 are pivotally secured at their upperends lto the extended ends ofthe shaft 94. The rear ends of the boards s3 are notched out underneath, as shown at 91 and these ends are thus adapted to removably engage by said notches the bearing spaces 8l of the shaft 83. An apron conveyor 98 of canvas or the like and having a plurality of slats 99 secured transversely therealong in spaced relation, is mounted over the forward roller 95 the conveyor being of a length to enable its also embracing the rear roller 86 when the device is operatively located with the notched rear ends of the boards 93 bearing on the shaft 83 at the spaces Sl, as above pointed out. Buckled straps li enable the conveyor 98 to be readily and operatively mounted upon the rollers or disrnounted therefrom, as required.

A shaker shaft |il| is journalled through the frame below the bed 50, as indicated at |02. A pulley |93 is keyed on the extended end of this shaft Isl in operative alignment with the central pulley 82 and fan pulley I4.

Belts |95 and IEE are operatively trained over the designated pulleys to rotate same as the driven pulley unit 82 is rotated in manner later explained. An idle pulley |81 is provided and journalled on a stub or bolt shaft |83 that may be adjustably mounted in any one of a series of holes |59 formed in the bar ||0 mounted in the frame 5. Thus the belt |96 may be tightened as required.

Adjustable cams or cam rollers H2 are medially mounted on the shafts 80 and Il, and from these earns extend shaker arms H3 journalled at one end upon the hanged rollers I |2 and having hinged attachment plates H4 at the opposite end, which plates are bolted or riveted at H5 medially to the under sides of the beds 22 and Eil. The arms H3 are each of two overlapped and slotted parts ||3a land H311, joined by bolts H passed through the slots. By this arrangement the arms may be lengthened or nortened, to vary the throw or pitch of the arms and beds. The rollers H2 are slotted through from end to end as shown at |I2a and may thus be eccentrically adjusted upon the shafts Bil and iti. These rollers are also slotted diametrically across each end in parallelism as shown at ||2b for siidably engaging flat lugs |2| having hubs ia whereby they are removably anchored to the shafts at either end of the rollers by means of set screws ll'l passed down through threaded bores in these flanges and bearing upon the shafts. If preferred one of the lugs of each assembly may be welded to its shaft. Bolts H3 are passed through the lugs |2| at one end of each assembly and through the roller slots ||2a. By then adjusting the rollers H2 to its required degree of eccentricity upon the shafts, and turn ing up the bolts H3, the rollers are firmly and operatively locked in position. The .eccentric adjustability of the cam rollers enables the operator to further regulate the throw or pitch of the shaker beds 22 and 53. These cam assemblies and connected arms attached to the beds as described,- servelto .oscillate Lthe beds .forward and backwardv when power'iszapplied, thus working the material down through the machine, over the screens `and aprons, from top .to bottom.

A seed hopper ||9 is provided, the saine hav- Ying an openingV in the bottom, which open-V ing ,may be increased 'or vdiminished Aby Ameans of a slide |22 at one side of Vthe hopper. Aligned cleats |23 are secured to the straight endsofthe hopper, `as means for v,removably 4 positioning the hopper on the Vframe when the machine fis Ato be used vfor cleaning seed and grain.

It is understood of course that the several screens or screen panels are to be of progressively ner mesh, from top to bottom of the machine, and that these screen panels are to be provided with meshes appropriate for the kind of seed or grain to be handled, separated, cleaned or screened.

In the use of the machine as a separator, as shown in Figure 1, the operator would position his conventional feed or ensilage chopper (not shown) and which of course is not part of this invention, so that chopped ensilage therefrom would be discharged upon the crawler feeder and a belt (not shown) would be extended from a pulley of that chopper over the pulley 82e, the two machines being thus operated simultaneously by the power applied to the chopper. But where the machine is to be used only as a seed or grain cleaner, as shown in Figure 2, then power would be taken from an electric motor (not shown) by means of a belt run from the motor over the pulley 82o. Of course any other source of power might be used.

As a separator (Figure 1) the chopped ensilage y or roughage containing the seed or grain as well as some dust and chaff, would travel the courses indicated by the sets of arrows and accompanying. legends, going over the feeder, conveyor panels 89-90 onto the primary screen panel 3|, the seed and liner dust particles falling through onto the secondary screen panel 34, thence onto the primary apron lli), thence onto the tertiary screen panel 5U, thence onto the secondary apron S'u, thence onto the base apron 12 Where passing downward, the iinal chaif and dust is blown out by the fan I6 through the opening l5, the cleaned seed falling into the lower trough 13 and out at the spout 13a; the roughage and coarser chad meantime being passed rearwardly out through the end o-f the machine over the screen panels 3| and 34, the finer stud however passing down onto the apron d, screen panel 6U, into the trough 63 and out at the spout 63a.

As a seed or grain'cleaner (Figure 2), the seed or grain iiows from the hopper ||9 onto the dust screen panel 9| where the finer particles of dust fall through onto the upper partitioned end of the apron 40, thence into the trough 42 and out at the spout 42a; the seed or grain and coarser particles of dust meanwhile following the courses already indicated in the use of the machine as a separator, the cleaned seed or grain finally emerging at the lower spout 13a.

While I have herein described a preferred embodiment of the machine and its parts, it is understood that the said embodiment or any of the said structural features, may be changed or varied, within the scope of the claim.

I claim:

In a machine of the kind described, a supporting frame having front and rear portions, upper and lower shaker beds oscillatably mounted in the frame in vertically spaced relation, one

or more screens mounted in the upper bed and inclined downwardly and rearwardly, frontal and rear imperforate aprons mounted in the upper bed below said screening, the aprons being inclined downwardly toward one another at their inner adjacent ends and these ends being spaced to provide an opening therebetween, a screen mounted in the lower bed below the openings of the aprons above, and inclined downwardly and forwardly, a laterally inclined trough with spout 10 at the forward end of the screen for receiving roughage therefrom and discharging same, an imperforate apron mounted in the lower bed be- 

